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Rakuten Aids Helsing in Pitching HX-2 Drone to Japan

August 17, 2026

2 min read

Key Takeaways

Rakuten helps Helsing pitch HX-2 strike drone to Japan.
JGSDF conducts field tests until September 2026.
HX-2 has a range of up to 100 kilometers and multipurpose payloads.
Rakuten aims to connect startups with Japanese government requirements.

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Strategic Implications

This partnership may indicate a growing trend of non-traditional companies entering the defense sector, which could bring innovative solutions and new business models. Rakuten's involvement suggests that Japan is open to collaborating with foreign companies and startups, which could enhance its defense capabilities and accelerate its unmanned buildup.

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What Happened

German Defense Firm Partners With Japanese E-Commerce Group

Japanese e-commerce group Rakuten is assisting German defense technology company Helsing in pitching its HX-2 strike drone to the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF). The JGSDF is currently conducting field tests of the HX-2, which has a range of up to 100 kilometers and can be equipped with multipurpose, anti-tank, and anti-structure payloads. Rakuten’s role in the partnership is unusual, given its limited conventional defense experience, but the company aims to use its network to connect startups with Japanese government requirements. The development was first reported by AeroTime.

Source | Originally Published: August 17, 2026

Companies Mentioned